Walking on Water: Your Guide to Stepping Out in Faith [Matthew 14:28-31]

Behold one of Scripture’s most powerful testimonies of faith – Peter walking on water. This sacred moment stands alone in God’s Word as the sole instance where a mortal joined our Lord Jesus Christ above the waves. Though three gospel writers share this miraculous account, Matthew alone captures the profound depths of Peter’s step of faith on that storm-tossed night, just as Jesus later ascended a mountainside to pray.

Picture this holy scene: miles from shore in the darkest hours before dawn, following the miraculous feeding of thousands, God orchestrated a divine appointment between Master and disciple. Yet the Lord’s purpose reached far beyond the physical miracle of walking on water. Through this treasured narrative, the Holy Spirit reveals eternal truths about unwavering faith, wrestling with doubt, and fixing our gaze upon Jesus amid life’s fiercest storms. Whether these sacred verses have long nourished your spirit or you’re encountering them anew, let God’s Word illuminate your path to deeper trust in His mighty power.

The Setting of Peter’s Water Walk

The Lord chose the Sea of Galilee, lying 216 meters below sea level, as the divine stage for one of Scripture’s most profound encounters. This blessed waters, embraced by heaven-reaching hills and mountains, witnessed Peter’s extraordinary walk of faith.

The Sea of Galilee at Night

After multiplying loaves and fishes for thousands, our Lord Jesus directed His chosen disciples across the waters. What should have been a brief crossing became a six to twelve-hour trial of faith. God’s timing placed them in the fourth watch (3:00 to 6:00 AM), their spirits tested by weariness, wetness, and mounting fear.

Weather Conditions That Night

The Father’s creation itself set the stage through unique geological features that birthed sudden, fierce storms. Mediterranean warmth clashed with mountain coolness, particularly from eastern heights, stirring heaven’s winds to action. The Lord’s hand shaped this lake like a bowl, making it a vessel for swift weather transformations.

Though warm waters flowed year-round in this below-sea-level sanctuary, the rushing cool winds from Trans-Jordan brought chaos to the surface. The Lord’s mighty breath could raise peaceful waters into towering waves six to ten feet high within mere moments.

Position of the Boat

Mark’s Gospel reveals God’s sovereign timing – the disciples had not yet reached the lake’s middle after a long time when Jesus drew near. Their vessel, stretching 23 feet with seven feet of width, needed five souls to guide it – four at the oars, one directing their course. These fishermen knew these waters as their daily bread, yet the Lord prepared a night unlike any other.

The Father’s winds tested their strength as waves crashed over their craft. Though nighttime typically served their fishing labors, hiding their nets from wary fish, this journey carried deeper purpose – crossing to shores where both God’s chosen people and Gentiles dwelt.

Consider how the storm’s fury must have shaken even these weathered fishermen. Physical exhaustion joined with the dark hour and relentless waves to test body and spirit alike. Ancient fears of creatures lurking in the depths added yet another burden to their already troubled hearts.

Jesus Appears on the Water

Behold, through darkness and tempest, the Lord of Creation manifested His glory upon the waters. At approximately four o’clock in the morning, while His chosen ones wrestled against nature’s fury, their eyes beheld a sight beyond mortal understanding – a figure treading upon the stormy deep.

Initial Reaction of Disciples

Terror seized these men of the sea when they witnessed this divine manifestation. “It’s a ghost!” their frightened voices pierced the night’s tumult. Such fear reflected the ancient beliefs of their people, who saw water’s surface as a realm where supernatural beings might appear.

How telling that these chosen witnesses, though blessed to see countless miracles, still trembled before their Master’s full majesty. Despite walking with divine power daily, their hearts quaked at this revelation of Jesus’s authority. Their cries echoed humanity’s age-old response when confronted with heaven’s mysteries.

Jesus’s Words of Comfort

The Good Shepherd, hearing His sheep’s distress, spoke words of divine peace: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.“. His swift response revealed the tender heart of our ever-watchful Lord. These sacred words – “It is I” – carried the very essence of divinity, reminiscent of God’s holy name declared to Moses at the burning bush.

The Master’s voice brought threefold blessing – identity for the confused, comfort for the afraid, and assurance of His steadfast love that crosses any divide to reach His beloved.

What glorious contrast between mortal fear and divine serenity! While creation’s fury raged, the Prince of Peace spoke with authority that commanded both wind and wave. Here stood the pivotal moment when these faithful followers glimpsed more fully their Lord’s divine nature, as all elements bowed before Him.

This holy encounter teaches us eternal truth: fear and faith wage constant war within the human heart, and fear’s shadow often blinds us to our Lord’s presence. Yet see how our Savior revealed His glory not through grand display, but in answer to His children’s desperate need.

Peter’s Bold Request

Witness how the Holy Spirit stirred Peter’s heart among the twelve. While others cowered, Peter’s passionate faith burst forth as the Master drew near their storm-tossed sanctuary.

Why Peter Asked to Walk

The Lord kindled holy fire in Peter’s response, revealing both divine courage and mortal impetuosity. “Lord, if it’s you,” his voice carried across the tempest of the strong wind, “tell me to come to you on the water”. Sacred wisdom teaches us two paths – some see doubt in his “if”, while others hear blessed assurance, as though proclaiming “since it’s you”.

Behold how Peter’s spirit grasped heaven’s truth – our Lord never commands what faith cannot accomplish. His bold cry mingled holy fear with sacred trust and Spirit-led impulse. Though eleven remained silent, Peter alone voiced such mighty faith, even as his words sought confirmation of his Master’s presence.

Marvel at Peter’s distinction—he alone is mentioned in this water-walking testimony across all gospel accounts. His cry echoed with both heaven-sent courage and the zealous spirit God had planted within him. Truly, the Father was preparing His servant for greater works, foreshadowing Peter’s future role as a leader among Christ’s first followers, where his bold spirit would repeatedly lead God’s people.

Jesus’s Simple Command

Our Lord’s answer carried divine authority in its blessed simplicity: “Come”. This single word held heaven’s power – both holy invitation and test of faithful obedience. Such was our Master’s way throughout His earthly ministry, echoing His first call to those who would follow.

This sacred command transcended mere permission to tread water. It proclaimed Christ’s lordship over creation itself, showing how faith empowers God’s children to accomplish His divine purposes. In that personal summons, hear the Good Shepherd calling His beloved servant by name.

Precious truth shines forth – leaving the vessel’s shelter meant choosing personal faith over collective safety. Here stands God’s eternal pattern: when Jesus calls, His children must step forth in holy boldness, guided by God’s word.

The Actual Water Walk

Sacred Scripture records the holy moment when Peter’s feet left mortal security to walking on water toward his Lord. Heaven’s power flowed as his feet touched the surface, faith conquering natural law. The Spirit filled Peter’s heart with divine confidence, born of complete surrender to his Master’s authority.

First Steps on Water

Behold this sacred milestone in God’s Word – never had mortal feet trod these waters save our Lord Himself, not even among Israel’s mightiest prophets. What holy courage stirred Peter’s spirit as he stepped forth amid nature’s fury!

Moment of Doubt

Yet mortal weakness soon clouded spiritual sight. Satan’s whispers drew Peter’s gaze to raging winds and mountainous waves, letting fear poison faith. This battle between the flesh and Peter’s lack of faith proved costly – as doubt rose like flood waters, faith ebbed away, pulling God’s servant toward the depths.

Though blessed with earthly skill in swimming, Peter’s flesh could not save him from spiritual peril. Heaven’s tempest and nature’s fury combined in fearsome display. Those eyes, once fixed on Christ’s glory, now beheld only creation’s awesome power, awakening primal terror.

Jesus’s Rescue

From drowning depths came the cry of desperate faith: “Lord, save me!“. Our merciful Savior moved with divine swiftness, His mighty hand grasping His beloved disciple before the waters claimed him. Here shines the blessed truth – our Lord stays near, ever ready when His children cry out.

Master and disciple walked as one back to safety. Even as the Good Shepherd spoke words of loving correction – “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” – His actions proclaimed grace before rebuke, mercy before judgment, yet always with redemptive purpose. Let every believer’s heart learn wisdom: when eyes drift from Christ to circumstance, the spirit surely falters.

The Father’s power manifested one final wonder – the wind ceased completely. This divine exclamation point sealed heaven’s message: tested faith leads God’s children into deeper knowledge of His almighty power.

Conclusion

Precious saints, behold the divine wisdom flowing from Peter’s water-walking testimony. Though mortal flesh briefly conquered nature through heaven-sent faith, this sacred account illuminates eternal truths about keeping our spirits anchored in Christ amid life’s tempests.

Take heart, beloved – our merciful Savior draws nearest when faith grows weakest. Just as His mighty hand caught Peter, our Lord stands ready to lift His children and fellow believers from overwhelming waters. This holy narrative proclaims blessed assurance – moments of doubt become stepping stones to deeper trust in God’s unfailing grace, just as the powerful teachings found in Romans remind us of His love and support.

The Spirit teaches us through Peter’s bold obedience that true faith demands both holy courage to leave our earthly refuge and divine wisdom to fix our gaze upon Christ alone, showcasing great faith, even in the middle of a storm. Though storms howl and waves tower, victory comes only through steadfast focus on our Master’s face.

Let your spirit grasp this eternal truth – authentic faith often requires holy risk-taking when the Good Shepherd calls, much like the lessons from the Hebrews. Though we may not tread upon literal waters, every believer faces divine appointments requiring trust beyond mortal strength. Above all, this sacred account stands as heaven’s promise – our Lord’s mighty hand remains forever extended, ready to raise us from any depth when we cry out to Him.

FAQs

Q1. What is the main lesson from the story of Peter’s faith walking on water? The primary lesson is the importance of keeping our focus on Jesus during life’s challenges. When we maintain unwavering faith and trust in Him, we can overcome fear and doubt, even in seemingly impossible situations.

Q2. How does Peter’s experience, particularly Peter’s walk on water, relate to our faith journey today? Peter’s water-walking experience demonstrates that stepping out in faith often requires leaving our comfort zone when Jesus calls. It reminds us that even when we falter, Jesus is always ready to extend His hand and rescue us, encouraging us to trust Him more deeply.

Q3. Why did Peter start to sink after initially walking on water? Peter began to sink when he shifted his attention from Jesus to the surrounding storm. This momentary lapse in focus allowed fear to creep in, diminishing his faith. It illustrates how circumstances can overwhelm us when we lose sight of Christ.

Q4. What does Jesus’ response to Peter’s sinking reveal about His character? Jesus’ immediate action to save Peter shows His constant readiness to help in times of crisis. His gentle rebuke, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” demonstrates that He offers grace first, then correction, but never rejection.

Q5. How can we apply the lessons from this story in our daily lives? We can apply these lessons by maintaining focus on Christ rather than our circumstances, having the courage to step out in faith when called, and remembering that Jesus is always near to help us. It encourages us, as Christians, to trust in God’s power to accomplish what seems impossible in our own strength, just as illustrations can enrich our understanding of these lessons.